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Whose Terms and Conditions? A New Take on the State of Privacy.

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Why should we worry about the state of online privacy?

That’s the question underpinning Cullen Hoback’s Terms and Conditions May Apply. The new film, which debuts in D.C. this week, delves into how your information is mined online, and what might be done differently– and fuels further debate over how much control big corporations– and government agencies – should wield over our personal data. From the revelations of the National Security Administration’s dragnet surveillance program, Prism, to discovery of law enforcement’s extensive capture and storage of license plate data, to a recent motion filed by Google stating users have “no legitimate expectation of privacy”, public awareness—and discontent – with massive data collection, storage, retention, and analysis is growing.

But that rising awareness makes it more important than ever to broadcast critical analysis and accurate information on these issues. That seems to be a goal of Terms and Conditions May Apply. Yet, the film does miss a spot: the history of surveillance and privacy problems faced by chronically underserved groups. That’s a topic I’ll be discussing at the film premiere tonight, August 16– and something I spoke about earlier this summer on a New America In the Tank podcast. Buy tickets here for tonight’s screening and discussion with the film’s director.